Thai Prime Minister Ousted Over Ethics Breach in Cambodian Call

Thailand's Constitutional Court has removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office. The court determined that she had violated ethics rules during a phone conversation with a Cambodian leader. This decision marked the end of the term for the country's youngest prime minister and represented another setback for the Shinawatra family, who had been a prominent force in Thai politics for over two decades.

The court's ruling, with a 6–3 vote, found that Paetongtarn's conduct during a June 15 phone call with former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen had compromised Thailand's national interests. The call became a subject of controversy after audio of the conversation was leaked, occurring just weeks before deadly border clashes between the two countries. In the recording, Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen as "uncle" and described a Thai army general as an "opponent" while discussing border tensions.

A group of senators had accused Paetongtarn of being overly friendly with Cambodia and of lacking integrity in her remarks about the general. They alleged that she was prioritizing Cambodia's interests over those of Thailand.

The court acknowledged that Paetongtarn's intention was to ease tensions and protect Thailand's sovereignty. However, the majority of judges concluded that her words had breached ethical standards.

Paetongtarn, aged 39, defended herself, stating that her casual tone was a strategy to de-escalate the conflict and prevent bloodshed. She apologized for her choice of words but maintained that she had not jeopardized national security. Following the ruling, she accepted the decision but emphasized that her actions were solely aimed at saving lives.

Hun Sen, who had led Cambodia for 38 years before transferring power to his son in 2023, was responsible for leaking the call online. The conversation took place after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a clash with Thai troops in disputed territory in May. Weeks later, the two countries engaged in five days of fighting, resulting in numerous fatalities and the displacement of over 260,000 people.

The case sparked public outrage in Thailand, partly due to the Shinawatra family's history. Paetongtarn's father, Thaksin Shinawatra, was ousted as prime minister in a 2006 coup and has long faced accusations of blurring the lines between personal and national interests. His sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, served as prime minister from 2011 until 2014, when she was also removed from office. Their brother-in-law, Somchai Wongsawat, briefly held the position of prime minister in 2008.

Paetongtarn had already been suspended from her duties on July 1, with Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai taking over her responsibilities. Phumtham's caretaker cabinet will remain in place until Parliament selects a new prime minister, although no date has been set. Lawmakers also have the option of dissolving Parliament and calling for new elections.